Fbi Arrests Hollywood Man

A self-employed Hollywood businessman was arrested by the FBI on Wednesday on an indictment charging him with impersonating a federal judge during a running dispute with an art and antique shop.

George Goldstein, 51, is facing up to three years in prison for allegedly terrorizing employees at the Icon gallery on Harrison Street in downtown Hollywood.

Goldstein, a building-supplies business owner, was released on $100,000 bond, but is expected back in court today to assure U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry S. Seltzer he has surrendered the 9mm Glock handgun and gold badge he is accused of flashing inside the Icon gallery.

According to prosecutors:

Goldstein angrily barged into the Harrison Street shop on May 7, trying to return a $400 silver-plated panther statue with a dented nose.

He flashed the badge, claimed he was a judge, and threatened to have the cashier arrested and the store sold after the clerk said she wasn't authorized to issue a refund. The badge is sometimes issued to holders of concealed weapons permits.

Goldstein returned five days later, locking the door behind him with patrons and employees inside. He again flashed the badge and let owner Sasha Carcamo know he was carrying the gun.

At one point he told her to call police and let them know he was holding the pistol at her head. She refused and Goldstein left.

Carcamo said she rarely refuses refund requests, but Goldstein damaged the statue.

"It was terrible. He really tried to intimidate us," she said. "But I knew this wasn't right. Judges don't behave in that manner."